Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-09-06
A THEATRE HORROR
TRIGHTFUL HOLOCAUST IN EXETER,
RsGLAND
The Theatre Royal Burnsd Last Night
One Hundred and Thirty Lives
Lost Narrowing Scenes, &c.
By AnElo-American cable to the Dispntch.l

By Anglo-American cable TO the Dispatch.l
LONDON, September 5.-The theatre
at Exeter took fire this evening during
the performance Of Romany Rye.
The occupants of the pit, after an awful
struggle, escaped, bat many of them
were greatly injured. There WAS only
one exit from the gallery, and the rush
there was terrific. Scores were trod-
den under foot and suffocated. 4 fire
escape was brought to window and
many inside were rescued. Sixty
corpscs have been removed. The in
jurcd survivors were sent to hospitals.
Inc mortality Is estimated at one hun
dred.
DETAILS cT TIE CALAMITY.
The structure burned was the Theatre
Royal. Ii was buiit after the latest de-
signs and was elaborately fitted, being
considered one Of the prettlest IN the
kingdom.
There was full house tonight, and
everything was all right until the end
Of tine third act at 1890 o'clock, when
the drop scene fell, and in a moment
the whole stage was n mass fire. y
wild panic ensucd The occupants OF
the stalls, pit, and dress-circle escaped
after dreadful crushing, many being
badly bruised. The actors and ac-
trcsscs were in their dressing
when the fire began and AL escaped.
The fire originated in the flies and
spread rapidly, filing the theatre with
ID dense smoke. The occupants OF the
upper circle and gallery rushed f. tine
windows, screaming frantically. Many
jumped from the windows and were IN
jured others were rescued with the aid
Of bidders from the verandas. The fire
ilazcd iercely, Lighting mp the whole
city. The people were soon fl0cking to
the scene IN thousands inquiriug for
friends. The scene inside the theatre
when the IRE broke ont was an
awful one. Some men implorad
the audience to be cool, but it was
Impossible to check the frantic
Iush Tie theatre hose was brought
INTO Use in lew minutes, but the
water bad little effect on the
flames. The actors and actresses were
taken from windows with tho aid OF
ladders. They lost everything except
what they wcrc g.. the time. Up to
the present time $50 bodies have been
recovered They arc almost unrccog-
nizablc. Thirty injured survivors have
been taken to hospitals.
The fire burned throughout the
night. The search for the bodies pro-
coed, slowly. In many instances every
shred OF clothing IS burned Off aud the
iodies look black and Jaw
There are various reports as to the
criein OF the fire. tits only certain that
tie flames broke out in tine scene-shilt-
crs' department. Those who escaped
say tlat the special exit was promptly
cr,ncd. The fire brigade arrived fise
minutes after the breaking out OF the
flames. but the efforts Of the figcmel
were without effect.
The majority OF the victims were
men and Toys. About thirty WON pa
vcre burned. When the fire started
the drop-sccnc was lowered to prevent
dmaght. Some Of the actors opened
% door to escape, causing the fire 10
burst through the dr0p-scene and To
ignite the gallery. The flames over
tCoa the people, who were wedged IN
an immoyable mrss. and roasted them
10 death. Many who were rescued
alive died soon after being brought
out Of the burning building. The oc-
| cupauts Of the drcss-clrcle escaped
! without serious harm,